Chapter 10: Ain't No Rest for the Wicked
Disclaimer: I do not own Persona 3, work at Atlas, or own the myths and legends mentioned in my story
Warning: There will be strong language, graphically detailed violence, crude humor, dark angst-y moments, deep thought, and the occasional feminine joke. The list will potentially change to reflect changes in the story without advance notice. You have been warned.
My rest didn't last long, but every bit counted. I was pleasantly surprised that angel just where I left her and did move from her spot. Amy, on the other hand was slapping my forehead until my eyes opened. "Dark! Wake up!"
"I'm awake. What is it?"
"It's almost midnight." She pouted before dropping a piece of paper on my face, "It's a note from Red."
Pulling it off my face, I speed read the thing.
Regarding our exploration of Tartarus: Akihiko is still on the mend, so for now, I'd like you to lead the team. You never know when a powerful enemy might appear, like the one you faced the other week. It's best to be prepared, or else you may find yourself in a difficult situation. Whenever you'd like to explore Tartarus, just let me know and I'll gather everyone there. Also since there are other things you need to take care of, you may go out at night if you need to.
Keep up the good work.
Sweet! Standing up, I stretch out my stiff joints. "Amy? Go wake the others. It's time." Turning to angel feeling rather embarrassed, "I'm going to need my duster back. If you want, you're free to stay in my room the time being. Fridge is stocked with leftovers, bathroom's over there, water from the tap is clean to drink." Drumming on my thighs a bit, couldn't think of anything else to tell her, "That's about it. Try not to burn the dorm down while we're gone."
"Hey dude?"
"Yes Junpei?"
"Look dude, I know you're our leader and all that, but is it just me, or do we have more people now than when we started?"
Looking beside me, I could see Amy fluttering around my head and angel's wing just magically sprouted so she's just hovering beside me. Shrugging, "Look, more people means more effort on my part, but hopefully this also means a wider range of skills for us to use. Tonight, I'll sit out of some fighting and take a healing role with Amy."
"I didn't know that Orpheus could heal Dark-san."
"Like I told you, I can use other personae."
"Like I told you, that is impossible."
Facepalming, I turn towards Mitsuru, a plan forming in my head, "Alright. How about this. First fight we get into, I'll call pixie out to prove you wrong. I win, you owe me a favor. Whatever I ask, no backing out with anything. And I mean anything I ask. If I suddenly want to become student president, you step down. Unless. You really think I'm just crying wolf. After all, what can I know about persona. You did spend all this time researching." Holding out my hand with a grin before wagging my eyebrows, "Scared?"
Oh that pressed all the right buttons. Mitsuru's face was red with indignation and she shook my hand without thinking about it. Unclenching her jaw, "You're not going to win. You might be able to summon, but I know more about personas-"
"Personae."
"... Than you. If I win, I will execute you until you learn your place. Prepare yourself!"
"Careful there missy. 'Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.' Hey kids."
Collectively we turn to the side of the room where the Velvet Room door is located. To me: Lucifer just walked through the door, to the rest: he materialized from nothing. Holding up a hand to stop us from saying anything, "First things, first." Pulling out a leather Stetson or Fedora-type hat, he places it on his head and tips it towards me, "Well done kid. Couldn't have done it any better myself. For your reward... ANOTHER SUMMON!" With a bit of flourish and a puff of smoke, out popped a young girl of Middle Eastern decent, like angel she could have easily passed herself off as human if she hid her wings and her tail. "She's a lilim from the Devil arcana."
It took me only a quarter of a second to register what I was seeing and to immediately avert my eyes and notice how intricately carved the top of the lobby was, "What the hell Lucifer?!"
"What?"
"Don't 'what' me! I mean... Look at her!"
Looking at her for a bit, "I don't see anything wrong kid. What? Is she not attractive? I promise you, sans the wings, tails, and slightly longer ears, she's basically human."
"She's basically naked!" Granted, at least lilim was wearing clothes and not leather belts like angel, but I'm not sure I'd define it 'not being naked. To start her bottom was essentially khaki panties with loops for a belt. Her top? A thin piece of cloth with sleeves and a zipper that was zipped from her neck down to her clavicle. You heard me correctly. Zipped. Down. I have no idea where to look at her.
Unfortunately for me, she didn't have any trouble looking at me. Touching me too. As soon was I looked away from her, she darted from her spot to me. And by 'to me', I mean she wrapped her legs around my hip and only periodically flapped her wings so she could grind herself against me. Reaching up she placed her hands on my face and guided my head toward her. Smiling seductively, her voice was playful and teasingly innocent, "What a gentleman my summoner is and so handsome. Be gentle with me. It's my first. Time. But for you. Heh. You can have full use of me."
Leaning in, she was either trying to kiss me or suck out my soul. Honestly, I lost focus. Whatever she was about to do, it got interrupted as a streak of gold literally slammed into her and knocked her off me. Angel was huffing rather loudly with her back turned to me, "You leave him alone! He doesn't belong with your kind!" I'm sure there were words that were said, before the two started grappling with each other in the air and stuff. But I was really trying to keep my hormones in check and two beauties moaning and screaming with the occasional drop of my name? Not helping.
Turning to look at Lucifer who looked like he was having a GRAND time, "Lucifer? Did I upset you?"
"Upset me?"
"Yes. Did I insult you? Demean you in some way that my mortal mind cannot comprehend?"
"Kid. I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."
"Then why would you do this to me? Not only did you set me up with two opposing entities at the same. TIME! but they are dressed in a way that is probably acceptable on a nudist beach!"
"Kid! Kid. Calm down. First of all, I don't control what they look like when they show. They just do. Secondly, I'm doing you a favor here! Now you have two ladies that are vying for your attention and affection that don't care about what you are and how you came to be. They only care that you exist! But seriously. The angel is going to help you out a lot in the future and the two of them will act as your moral compass. Lots of complicated stuff going on, but what you need to know is this. Your soul and mind is developing a fracture and it worries me and Igor. On one side of the line is your absolute need to do the right thing. Regardless of the cost"
"Superego."
"Right. The other side just wants to relish in sex and violence."
"Ego."
"Yup. But here's the catch: you are the ego that is trying to mediate between the two. Since you started mediating, you've developed, rather, overdeveloped a resistance to Eros."
Turning to the others, "Love drive."
"Pretty much. It's developed to the point where... how do I put it... oh! If I had a succubus straddle you naked, you'd not only be able to resist your urges, but you'd easily keep her from sucking out your soul." Looking past me to the others, "Simply put, Dark here can mentally suppress the feelings of horniness and has been for a while."
"Lucifer..."
"There's nothing to be ashamed about. You can resist sexual urges. I haven't seen an example of this, ever! Every human that hits their teen, 'specially around puberty, goes off masturbating. But not you." Looking behind me again, "Oh don't go Puritanical on me now! I know every one of you lot masturbated at one point! I know who's masturbating now! So don't go saying nothing unless you want me recounting stories!"
"Lucifer!"
"Anyways! Since you basically have a lid on your sexual urges, your need for violence spiked but your superego will actively suppress it. But being you, that builds up, so now you found an outlet! So long as you're you, and by that I mean controlling Orpheus, you can rage like the ancient viking berserkers."
Junpei just looked like he got a new toy, "Whoa! Are you serious? Dark is like a barbarian?"
"Kinda. Since he's with you lot, he unconsciously tries to hold back. Mostly out of fear that you'd hate him or something."
"LUCIFER!"
Holding up his hands in an appeasing gesture. Wasn't gonna stop me from trying to wring his neck, "Last bit then! This falls on you guys. As long as you guys are safe, Dark will remain the underachieving goofball you all know and love. But, when you get into trouble, like that last fight. -Which I'm still looking into.- He'll loose all his senses and will seek out all living enemies to kill."
Minato shifted uncomfortably, "What do you mean all?"
Minako peeked out from behind her brother, "But if that's true..."
"By all, I mean exactly that. All. Now. The only reason you're alive is because Dark, as his own ego, remembers there are people he cares about near him, so in an effort to reconcile both halves of loyalty and destruction, he will loose his survival instinct and actively fight in a way that's is, for the lack of a better word, suicidal in an attempt to kill the enemy and wear himself out. Though honestly, I have no idea how he differentiate friend from foe, just be glad he does. For those of us who lack the intellectual levels Dark has, I will explain in game terms. Dark can rage when he gets desperate. Rage gives him more health and resistance to pain. He gets stronger because he no longer cares about the limit of his body. He is low level right now so his rage only last a few rounds or seconds and it takes a lot of blood loss or effort to exit rage. The more he rages, the easier it will be for him to exit his rage-state, but the more he rages, the higher the change for him killing himself goes up." He smiles and niceties vanish and Lucifer actually start to feel like the Overlord of Hell. I could feel my soul trying to tear itself free and get as far from his as possible and he wasn't even looking at me. I couldn't even imagine what the others were feeling in his gaze,"If he dies. I. Will. Personally. Ensure your soul will face torment that will make Hitler's and Pol Pot's seem like a day at the spa. M'kay? Just remember, I might be the prince of darkness and all that, but I look out for my own. You do good by me, I will reward you with no strings attached." Nodding his head, satisfied with the impact he left on us, he tips his hat to me and heads towards his door.
Just as he reaches it, it dawns on me, "Lucifer! You didn't tell me why you gave me angel and lilim at the same time... he's gone..."
To say that I was feeling irked was really an understatement. I ended up sitting out to watch the others fight. While this was my original intent, the fact everyone agreed in seconds of me proposing it, told me they were still terrified of what Lucifer said. With that said, both teams have improved a lot. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to be supporting them, occasionally tossing a knife or a spike at stray shadows, telling Amy to zap or heal, but I was getting tired of the two on either side of my shoulders glaring and hissing at each other.
Fifteen minutes and we're finally on the third floor, I'm currently armed with metal suitcases and experienced Shuffle Time only once. I didn't get anything tangible so I'm gonna ask Orobas later. I'm also starting to think it may actually have to do with me participating in a fight.
Orobas: Summon. When Shuffle Time comes up again, go for persona cards of summons you own for now.
That was kind of random. Anything else?
Orobas: The Wand symbolizes experience and basically increase how much you get. If you want it simply, think of it in video game terms. If you want technicality, it increase the how much you you learned from the fight and how much sensation the persona received, you subsequently 'level up' when the persona feels grateful for the amount of sensation they received and responds by toughening your body.
...
Orobas: What?
By your explanation, we, the possessors of persona, are some form of sex toy and when the persona hits the big time, we get a reward...
Orobas: If that helps you, go with that Summoner. Oh and I figured out something as well. Whenever we chat, it causes automatic static with your Empress. While she cannot actually discern who is talking she might pick up some words. I will henceforth only converse with you when necessary.
"Okay. So guys. Are you feeling okay for another floor or shall we call it for now." With Junpei and Minako wanting to press on and Yukari and Minato wanting to leave, I fish out a quarter and give it a good flip. "Shall we keep going?" Heads.
You are now on the fourth floor. Be careful! This floor is much larger than the others.
Switching to pixie I quietly enjoyed the blissful innocence it gave me. This floor brought with it two new enemies. The first looked like Haunter with a reddish-pink mask and a giant pink pretzel on its head. It wasn't until Mitsuru identify them as Muttering Tiara did it occur to me that those were suppose to be a prett- ahem- hideous crowns of sorts. The other is just another Maya but with the same beautiful- AHEM- eyesore masks the Muttering Tiara had on, Merciless Mayas, I think they were called. Honestly I think the pixie persona is starting to affect me. I'm feeling really happy about everything. Speaking about pixie, I after that second fight, she whispered something into my ear and I just smiled.
The moment Junpei spotted another enemy, I initiated like normal so the party could ambush but rather than wait on the sidelines I practically dove right in. It was just two Merciless and two Cowardly Mayas, good chance for tests. Planting the evoker to my head, "Pixie! Lemme see where their squishy bits are!" With the pull of the trigger, the ghostly form of pixie soared over the various Mayas scattering what I assume is pixie dust over a Merciless and certain areas were highlighted. Turning to the others, "If it shines, go at it!"
The fight was short and bland but I did get to last the last hit and Shuffle Time started up. Oooh and new persona cards... I don't like the feel of these cards... There was three persona cards and a three of swords but those all had a really bad feel to it. The only one that didn't was the Five of Pentacle. I didn't like the odds, but I wasn't going to back out of I could help these guys. Using all my focus, I was able to snag it just in time and by that I mean if I was just a bit faster, I would have snagged the sword with the bad feel. Letting out a shuddering breath, I clap my hands together before scattering the effects over the remains of the shadow as it dissolves into money.
WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING DARK-SAN?!
"What?"
"Don't what us dude! You just dove right in there! Are you trying to get hurt!"
"Oh don't give me that! You guys were a scared by what Lucifer said and wanted to cut me out!"
"Phatiamos-san. I'd be lying if I said otherwise, but I think I speak for everyone when I say this, but none of us wants to face the wrath of the Devil."
"Yeah? Well guess what? Leaving me behind to watch isn't doing me much good! If I get weaker, what the hell do you think I'm gonna do when you need help? I don't do anything, I'm going to go stir-crazy! Hang on." Closing my eyes, I swap out pixie for Orpheus again. I didn't want to sound like such a child, "Better. Look. I get that you guys are scared, but I don't plan on dying and I don't think you guys will leave me to die anytime soon. So l think we should just focus on the teamwork aspect and agree to not betray each other."
At first it looked like Minato was trying hard in thinking about something, but after a bit he decided against what it was, "And what about you berserking?"
"What about it?"
"Dark, Lucifer said that your berserker-state makes you prone to suicidal actions."
"I think he said self-destructive, but I only go into that state when shit hits the fan. So let's train a bit more each time and agree to not recklessly run into a fight."
"Dude..."
Scoffing, "Look. I'm your leader. Hang on! Let me finish. I'm your leader but only on the field. I don't want to be someone who sits safely behind a desk and just sends other into danger. I'm here with you guys and through Hell or high tide, I'm gonna be fighting beside you to keep you lot safe."
Was the the middle of that statement directed at me?
"ANYWAYS! If I end up dying before you guys and that's a biiiiiiig 'if'! I promise to put Lucifer in the 'electric nut grind' until he swears to not harm you guys." Holding up my right hand, I begin to clench and unclench my hand a few times to cause the joints to crack and pop a few times. Grinning, "I can demonstrate it on either Minato or Junpei if you want to see what happens."
"LIKE FUCK YOU WILL!"
"YOU LEAVE MY BALLS ALONE!"
"Darky! I found the stairs and teleporter"
I would recommend you guys head back for the night, we are rapidly approaching the fifteen minute mark and I can feel a strong presence up those stairs.
"You guys heard the boss lady. Back we go."
As we headed to the teleporter, I felt something. It hard to describe the feeling and it might differ per person, but it was the sensation I attributed to being watched. I didn't like it one bit. Usher angel and lilim ahead of me I could have sworn I head the rattling of chains as I teleported.
Looking at the group now that we were all in the lobby, calling it quits was a good idea. They were tired, banged up, and Amy was lying on top of Minako's head to catch her breath. Smirking a bit, "Hey Mitsuru. Let me show you a trick." Switching to pixie again, I took out my evoker, I giggle a bit as I use my best preacher-voice, "I say, by the power of me! I command your wounds to be healed! Heal!" I pulled the trigger a few times to summon pixie to heal the others and one more time afterwards to have pixie wave at Mitsuru. Judging by her reaction, she wasn't sure if she could trust her own eyes.
Realizing what I just did, angel and lilim mournfully pat Mitsuru's shoulders. Speaking at roughly the same time, "Do not worry. I'll be sure to guide him so his request will be..."
"... as reasonable as possible."
"... as sexual and sensual as possible."
Glaring over Mitsuru's blushing head, the two immediately started fighting again. Letting out a groan, I swap back to Orpheus, "Ladies! Stop!" The two immediately clung to each other on the ground, "I've had enough! I don't care why Lucifer gave me the two of you together like this, but you don't stop this bull crap, I'm going right to him and telling me I want a refund!" Growling at them before they could open their mouths, "Don't either of you dare turn on the waterworks or excuses. According to your lores, I am the son of Adam and therefore hold love of angels and the fear of daughter of Lilith. Right now the two of you are nothing but a humiliation to your patron and disrespecting me in front of my friends. Stop it."
Untangling from each other, the two just kneel in place as I lecture them, a bit away and out of earshot, Minato leans over to his sister and speaks in a hushed whisper, "Is it bad that I have no idea how to feel about Dark sometimes?"
Shaking her head, "I know what you mean onii-san. He's so kind and funny most of the time and other times he's so strong."
"Dude's scary too. Like that first time he berserked? There's no point pretending that we did much, dude basically solo-ed it himself."
Hugging herself Yukari shudders, "Don't forget what he did to his hand to help us."
Placing a hand over her chest, Minako feels a pang in her chest. The gesture and look on her face did not go unnoticed by anyone in the group. They stopped talking as soon as Dark started walking toward them.
"Hey guys, sorry about all that. I got the two of them to agree to endure each other for my sake, I trust that they will not fight like that so long as they are in my company."
Leaving just in time for Tartarus to transform back into our school, we all reach the dorm before one-thirty. Bidding everyone a good night, I got Amy to show angel and lilim to my room as I snagged a cushion from one of the seats in the lounge. As I reached my room, I swung by the bathroom for some towels. Opening the door to my room I spotted angel and lilim seated on my bed, holding up my hand to stop them before they started, "You both are tired and will be sharing the bed. I have and extra pillow here and some towels to act as a divider. At the first sign of troublemaking or complaining, you both will be sleeping on the roof. Lilim, you will be closest to the wall and angel will be closest to the desk. Tomorrow, it will be the other way around, so take that into consideration before you start booting each other. There is also two blankets and they are of equal thickness so no complaining." After getting the two settled and placing Amy and my teddy in between them, I bid them all a good night before heading downstairs to rest in the lounge. As I quietly stared into the darkness to wait for it to get bright enough for me to read, I never saw the three forms at the top of the stairs nor the looks of concerns they were giving me.
Author's notes: Whew... this chapter took a bit longer to write for some reason. Though it may have to do with me getting distracted with Borderlands 2 and League of Legends. But on another note, I have to make a month long trip to China around March 6. Barring some miracle, I'm doubtful that I'll be able to write anything during that time. But it's only a month long trip of me visiting the ancestral home and paying homage to those that came before me. Anyways, hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.